Copper 360, a South African mining company, has successfully restarted operations at the Rietberg copper mine in the Northern Cape province. This marks the first time in over 40 years that copper mining has resumed in the historic Okiep copper district, where Rietberg is located.
The mine, which was initially closed in 1983, is now processing ore at the Nama Copper modular flotation plant (MFP). The company has set an ambitious target of 12,000 tonnes per month at the start, with plans to increase production to 45,000 tonnes per month within the next four months. This expansion is expected to be supported by the commissioning of a second MFP in the coming two months.
Rietberg’s current measured and indicated resource stands at 4.78 million tonnes with a copper grade of 1.27%, equating to approximately 60,800 tonnes of copper metal. This significant resource highlights the potential for substantial copper production as operations ramp up.
The reopening of Rietberg is a key part of Copper 360's broader strategy to revive several dormant mines in the region, which were originally developed by prominent gold mining companies Newmont and Gold Fields. These mines, with defined ore bodies and existing underground infrastructure, will be reactivated under Copper 360's cluster mining model, aimed at maximizing efficiency and output.
Jan Nelson, CEO of Copper 360, stated that with the restart of the Rietberg mine, the company expects that 80% of its revenue will now be derived from copper concentrate, marking a strategic shift from its previous focus on copper plate production.
The resumption of operations at Rietberg signals a significant step forward in South Africa’s mining sector, particularly in the revival of the Okiep copper district, once a thriving hub for copper production.
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